Adapalene (Non-prescription)
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Side Effects

Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in...

Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in the skin.

Non-prescription adapalene is available only in 0.1% strength.

Adapalene is topically applied usually once a day before going to bed to all acne-affected areas of the skin, and not just on individual pimples themselves.

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4
31.4%
3
23%
2
16.4%
1
11.3%

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September 7, 2009

Pros:

Removed the acne I had before I used it

Cons:

Itching, drying, peeling, made me break out more than I ever had!

I was prescribed with differin since late June and I have been using it for more than 8 weeks. I was told that this product would clear up after 8-12 weeks. This is my 12th week and I'm just starting to see it clear up. My face is much softer now but the worst thing about this product is that IT had made me break out more than I ever had. I had moderate acne and it wasn't that bad but since I began using this product, so much more pimples shown up and caused so much redness and big bumps on my skin! I'm starting to see it calm down now but I've have seen it clear out parts of my skin. My forehead, temples, and chin have sort of cleared up, but I still have a lot my cheeks and a few on my jawline. My face is really gross now but I'm glad that I'm starting to see some goodness in this product. I guess I should be a little more patient with it but I can't stand how bad my face has gotten. Mainly this product is to make you face the ugly before the beautiful I'm just waiting.
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September 6, 2009

Pros:

it cleared up all my acne and i had no more oily skin

Cons:

it dried up my face ALOT and made it burn whenever i apply makeup or lotion or even wipe it with a towel

first i had mild acne and it wasnt that bad until i used this product and it made me break out like crazy but it cleared up my acne really well after a few days but it peeled my skin and made it burn but after all that was gone my skin became really clear
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September 2, 2009

Pros:

makes skin soft after application

Cons:

doesnt help with whiteheads, makes skin more oily

Ive been using differin for 6 months. At first my skin got alittle worse, but after that i thought it would get better. I dont have insurance so my derm gives me samples because its too expensive for me. I've also been on doxycycline 75mg once daily. I honestly think that only the pills are working and not the differin cream. The differin makes my skin much more oily and doesnt help with my acne marks either. Doesnt work on whitheads either.
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September 2, 2009

Pros:

- cleared up most acne after a few months
- like the tight feeling after it dries on your skin
- gentle enough for my sensitive skin, not really drying

Cons:

- I seem to be dependent on it
- suuuuper expensive
- stopped working after a few months (other factors involved though?)

I used to be on this with the oral doxycycline, and they made my face about 10x worse the first few months, but then I stopped taking the oral after my second refill and my face started to clear up nicely. However, after a month, it all started coming back again. I tried using it with different cleansing/moisturizing products to no avail. However, now I am using Cetaphil bar cleanser, Neutrogena On-The-Spot 2.5% BP, CeraVae moisturizer (THE single most amazing lotion that I have ever used), and actually yogurt masks almost every other day. I am also drinking A LOT of water, taking a multivitamin that contains sufficient amts of vitamins A, C, and E, exercising, eating healthy, and hardly touching my face. It is starting to clear up again, you guys!
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September 1, 2009

Pros:

A little goes a long way

Cons:

Not much improvement, red, peely skin

It cost too much and doesn't work
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August 31, 2009

Pros:

- Cleared up my acne in 2 months, after having had persistent acne for 10 years
- Made the texture of my skin nice and smooth
- Easy to use cause its not a spot treatment

Cons:

I really thought about cons and I honestly can't think of any. My skin has been a bit more oily but I think that is because of the cetaphil/clindamycin lotion I have been using as well.

Worked well for me, although I can see a lot of people have had problems with dryness and redness and the product not working so I guess I am the exception to the case. I'd had acne for about 10 years, mainly due to PCOS, that was unrelenting and never cleared up in that time. I tried pretty much everything and this is the only thing that has worked.
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August 29, 2009

Pros:

Clears it up for about a month

Cons:

Stops working after a month or two.

Ive used this for like 5 months, it was making it clear up at first but now all it does is make me break out more.
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August 21, 2009

Pros:

it works

Cons:

it makes your skin dry

for me it did work because i use to have bad acne neer my cheeks and when i started using differin it made my acne worse but less than a month it started to clear up.. just read the instructions and it will work wonderfull for you =]
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August 20, 2009

Pros:

I've used Differin for about five months and it have seen a huge improvement in skin clarity. My face is less greasy and it's almost clear save for the new bumps that have arisen recently. I'd definitely recommend it, but have patience!

Cons:

My acne has started to come back even though I have been using differin daily for months. I'm considering adding Benzac AC 2.5% during daytime in addition with Differin since I'm starting to fear my acne will return.

Very effective and I highly recommend it if you can put up with the side effects for a while (it took me 6 weeks for the redness and peeling to go away completely). The redness and burning will get better in a week or two. I will however use a combination of Differin at night time and Benzac AC during the day.
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August 20, 2009

Pros:

Um...none?

Cons:

Didn't work for 2 months, then made my skin worse for the 3rd month.

I have moderate acne, with lots of whiteheads on my forehead (cysts on cheeks, but that's another story). I was told by my derm to use differin 0.3 on my forehead where the whitehead were. Differin 0.3 did absolutely nothing for my forehead for 2 months except dry it out a bit. Then in the last month, my acne became HORRIBLE. I got tons and tons of legit pimples on my forehead, where basically every single whitehead used to be. I'll take the whiteheads thank you very much. I thought maybe this was the "exfoliation" process of Differin, as it will "unroof" whiteheads to make way for clear skin but clearly I was wrong. Thankfully every prescription I get is covered by my insurance. I'm going back to Duac....hope it helps.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website